Tonbridge Crime Rate

Tonbridge is a secure and thriving town in Kent, featuring an overall crime rate of 75.7 per 1,000 residents. This figure is significantly lower than the UK national average of 91.6, underscoring the town's safety. Tonbridge currently holds a high safety score of 83/100, which is well above the national average of 79/100. The crime trend in the area is stable, with a 2.9% decrease over the past year, indicating that the town is becoming even safer for its 39,000 residents. While it is an urban centre with associated commercial activity, it remains a peaceful and well-protected community. The following sections provide a detailed analysis of crime types, time patterns, and safety advice tailored to Tonbridge.

In the town of Tonbridge, the crime profile is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 33.7% of all recorded incidents, with 996 cases. Anti-social behaviour follows at 16.7%, and shoplifting is the third most significant type at 14.0%. The high percentage of shoplifting indicates that commercial areas within the town are major hubs for criminal activity.

Property crime in Tonbridge occurs at a rate of 28.1 per 1,000 residents. This category includes burglary, vehicle crime, and various thefts. Shoplifting is a major driver here, but 'other theft' and vehicle crime also contribute significantly, each at approximately 4.5% to 5.5% of total crime. Interestingly, burglary is relatively rare in Tonbridge, representing only 2.1% of offences with a rate of 1.6 per 1,000 people. This suggests that while homes are statistically safe from break-ins, property left in public spaces or commercial settings is at a higher risk. For residents, the data implies that personal safety in public and the security of vehicles should be the primary focus, as these are more likely targets for the types of opportunistic crime prevalent in the town.

The crime trend in Tonbridge is currently stable, with a total year-over-year decrease of 2.9%. This marginal improvement reflects a town that is successfully managing its safety as it grows. Monthly data from 2025 shows that the crime rate per 1,000 residents fluctuated between 5.4 and 7.2. The year began with a rate of 6.4 in January, followed by a dip to 5.4 in February, the year's lowest point.

Crime rates peaked in May at 7.2, with another significant high in March (7.1). The summer and autumn months showed relative consistency, with rates staying between 5.7 and 6.6. December saw a slight rise back to 6.6, possibly due to seasonal retail activity and holiday events. This stable trend is a reassuring indicator for residents, suggesting that while certain months see higher activity, the overall environment is not experiencing a surge in criminal behaviour. For those living in Tonbridge, this means the risk remains predictable and well-within the expected range for a town of its size.

How To Keep Safe in Tonbridge

The most common crime in Tonbridge is violence and sexual offences, often occurring in public spaces. Staying safe requires a combination of personal awareness and proactive measures.

1. Plan Your Routes: When walking through the town centre at night, stick to well-lit, busy streets. Avoid shortcuts through parks or unlit alleys where anti-social behaviour is more likely to occur.
2. Secure Your Vehicle: Vehicle crime peaks at night in Tonbridge. Always double-check that your car is locked and never leave valuables, even hidden ones, inside the vehicle overnight.
3. Be Vigilant in Shops: With shoplifting being a significant issue, be mindful of your own belongings in busy retail areas. Keep bags zipped and close to your body to prevent opportunistic theft.
4. Install Motion Lighting: Criminal damage is a top three crime type. Bright, motion-activated lighting around your home's exterior can deter vandals and make your property a less attractive target.
5. Join a Local Scheme: Tonbridge has several active community safety groups. Engaging with these can provide real-time updates on local issues and help build a more secure neighbourhood.

Crime in Tonbridge follows a distinct temporal pattern. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) is a peak period for theft-related offences, particularly shoplifting, which accounts for 46% of crimes during these hours. This aligns with the town's busy retail activity. As evening approaches (6pm-12am), the focus shifts towards 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order offences, which make up 59% of incidents.

Night-time (12am-6am) presents a different risk profile. While overall crime volume may be lower, vehicle crime becomes highly prominent, accounting for 40% of all offences in the early hours. Burglary also reaches its highest percentage (11%) during the night, as properties are often left unattended or residents are asleep. Morning hours (6am-12pm) see a return to theft-related activity (41%) as the town wakes up and businesses open. Understanding these patterns allows residents to tailor their security habits, such as ensuring vehicle security is prioritised overnight and being more vigilant in commercial areas during the day.

Tonbridge serves as a safe urban centre within its region. When compared to nearby Southborough, which has a crime rate of 51.0 per 1,000, Tonbridge has a higher rate due to its larger population and commercial high street. However, it remains much busier than the quiet residential villages of Hildenborough (29.5) and Bidborough (17.5). Pittswood reports a negligible crime rate, making it one of the safest spots nearby. For those who want the convenience of a larger town with a robust safety profile, Tonbridge offers an excellent compromise, providing a more secure environment than many other similarly sized towns in the South East.

With a property crime rate of 28.1 per 1,000, Tonbridge residents should consider the benefits of proactive security. Traditional systems, like standard CCTV, often only provide footage of a crime after it has occurred. In a town where vehicle crime and opportunistic theft are the main property concerns, prevention is far more valuable than a recording.

scOS provides this prevention through AI-powered multi-camera intelligence. By monitoring your property's boundaries 24/7, scOS can identify suspicious activity—such as someone loitering near your car—before they act. It can autonomously activate deterrents like high-intensity lighting or audio warnings, which are proven to stop most criminals in their tracks. This autonomous response is crucial in Tonbridge, where the element of surprise can deter the opportunistic thieves active in the area. By focusing on boundary protection rather than just indoor monitoring, scOS ensures your home remains a fortress, not just a crime scene.